1 . Scientists from the National University of Singapore studied how much time twins spent in natural spaces compared with each other and found that they shared a similar level of desire to be in nature.
“The reason we decided to study this in twins is that we could estimate heritability(遗传性)based on the genetic similarities in identical twins(100%)versus genetic similarities in non-identical twins(50%),” said Chia-chen Chang, who led the study. “If a trait(特性), such as the desire to be in nature, is clearly more similar between identical twins than non-identical twins, this will then suggest a trait is heritable.”
Using the TwinsUK registry, researchers surveyed 1,153 pairs of twins—identical and non-identical—about how they experienced nature. They were required to answer questions involving how frequently they visit natural spaces such as public parks and private gardens and rate their familiarity with nature. After comparing and analyzing the collected data, researchers found that identical twins were more similar to each other in their attitudes towards nature.
While previous studies have found that spending time in natural spaces improves mental well-being, this varies from person to person. For the first time, the researchers say, this study has indicated why that is by suggesting there is likely to be a genetic component in our preference for nature and our likelihood to visit natural spaces.
However, heritability declined with age, perhaps showing that environmental factors such as access to nature and green spaces bring about a love of the outdoors as one grows older. That is to say, a person's desire to be in nature and how often they experience it are influenced by both genes and personal experiences. Those who live in urban environments without access to nature could end up having a lesser appreciation of it. Hence, it's necessary that diverse urban planning is needed to provide access to natural spaces-and the benefits they offer—for all.
1. Why were twins chosen as subjects of the study?| A．To acquire more accurate results. | B．To confirm the previous studies. |
| C．To measure their gene similarity. | D．To identify their specific hobbies. |
| A．By analyzing previous data. | B．By referring to online resources. |
| C．By asking and answering questions. | D．By doing an experiment in the lab |
| A．It takes genes into consideration. | B．It takes advantage of the Internet. |
| C．It provides a new insight into the role of nature. | D．It reveals the link between nature and mental health. |
| A．One's love for nature is invariable. | B．City planning leaves much to be desired. |
| C．It may be a better choice to live in rural areas. | D．Genes are the only factor in shaping one's traits. |
During the World Elephant Day on Thursday, Chinese and foreign experts gathered in one online forum(论坛)
The 15 wild Asian elephants among
Zhou Jinfeng, Secretary of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation, mentioned an idea which focused
Zhang Chenglin, Deputy Director of the Beijing Zoo，who introduced some measures taken by Chinese zoos to take good care of elephants,
“
3 . The North Star, also known as Polaris, is often used by campers to help them find their way when they get lost.
Locate the North Star with your smart phone. There are many smart phone applications that work something like a telescope. You allow the phone to find your location, and then point your phone to the sky. The phone acts as interactive map, identifying stars and constellations for you.
Buy a star atlas(星图). If the idea of carrying your phone around while stargazing kills the fun for you, consider buying a star atlas instead. You should also always take an atlas with you when hiking in case your phone battery dies.
| A．Plan ahead with your computer. |
| B．Find the direction north with two sticks. |
| C．It is very helpful and can be used on any night. |
| D．This can prevent you from locating the North Star. |
| E．Here are some ways to help you find the North Star. |
| F．Rely on constellations in the night sky to find the North Star. |
| G．Some applications can also assist you to see stars more easily. |
Welcome to Lijiang,
After a short rest, you’ll start a memorable tour in Lijiang Ancient Town.
The small town also enjoys convenience in transportation. There
5 . It was June 8, 1816 and it was early summer in Vermont, US. Yet, a wild winter snow-storm was going on. Nearly a foot of snow covered the fields which had been planted crops only weeks before. This storm would kill all of the crops. At the time, people struggled to understand what had caused the weather to change so wildly. It is only now, more than 200 years later, that scientists have finally solved the mystery. The cause of the extreme weather was an event that took place a year earlier and 10, 000 miles away. It all started with a volcano called Mount Tambora.
Mount Tambora sits on the island of Sumbawa, a beautiful land with rushing streams, gentle hills, and thick jungles, in Indonesia. Nobody had any reason to think the peaceful mountain was in fact a volcano. It had been asleep for centuries, but on April 5, 1815, Tambora woke up.
The first eruption shook the island and sent up streams of fire and ash. But that was nothing compared with what would come five days later, on April 10. The volcano exploded with a huge cloud of gas, fire and ash shot high into the sky. The day turned midnight black, but the mountain turned red as rivers of lava（岩浆）flowed down the mountain.
The eruption went on for more than three days, which instantly killed at least 12, 000 people living on and around Mount Tambora. Ash and lava ruined the island’s soil and poisoned its rivers and streams. Rice fields were destroyed. No fruits or vegetables would grow.
There were no fish to catch; almost every animal had been killed. The eruption of Tambora in 1815 was the deadliest and most powerful volcanic eruption in human history.
1. Why did it snow heavily in Vermont in the summer of 1816?| A．Vermont was located in the southern part of the earth. |
| B．Vermont had serious environmental pollution. |
| C．A faraway volcano erupted a year earlier. |
| D．A huge earthquake hit Vermont. |
| A．To lead in the topic. | B．To present an argument. |
| C．To introduce Vermont. | D．To explain the cause of a volcano. |
| A．On June 8, 1816. | B．On April 13, 1816. |
| C．On April 5, 1815. | D．On April 10, 1815. |
| A．The process of the eruption was made up of three stages. |
| B．Tambora asleep for centuries woke up in the end. |
| C．The eruption of Tambora broke a historic record. |
| D．The eruption of Tambora led to a terrible disaster. |
6 . It's hard to believe my husband and I will be celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary this year, but I still remember our honeymoon clearly.
After our
At the top of our list of
The employees told us that the dolphins
We
| A．adventure | B．appointment | C．graduation | D．wedding |
| A．anxious | B．good | C．strict | D．ordinary |
| A．enjoy | B．protect | C．spread | D．avoid |
| A．experiments | B．performances | C．bargains | D．activities |
| A．package | B．regret | C．prize | D．invention |
| A．careful | B．pleased | C．familiar | D．bored |
| A．stayed away from | B．broke up with | C．put up with | D．looked forward to |
| A．selling | B．lending | C．telling | D．posting |
| A．gift | B．recipe | C．turn | D．risk |
| A．made | B．changed | C．donated | D．designed |
| A．instructions | B．destinations | C．connections | D．combinations |
| A．challenged | B．attacked | C．approached | D．controlled |
| A．feed | B．train | C．observe | D．catch |
| A．merely | B．casually | C．barely | D．really |
| A．significant | B．complex | C．hopeful | D．confusing |
7 . I have worked as a keeper at the National Zoo, Paris for 11 years. Spot and Stripe are the first tiger cubs that have ever been born here. Globally, a third of Sumatran cubs in zoos don't make it to adulthood, so I decided to give them round-the-clock care at home.
I've got two children—the younger one, Kynan, was extremely happy about the tigers arriving - but all of us really looked forward to being part of their lives and watching them grow. I wasn't worried about bringing them into my home with my wife and kids. These were cubs. They weighed about 2.5 kg and were so small that there was absolutely no risk.
As they grew more mobile, we let them move freely around the house during the day, but when we were asleep we had to contain them in a large room, otherwise they'd get up to mischief. We'd come down in the morning to find they'd turned the room upside down, and left it looking like a zoo.
Things quickly got very intense due to the huge amount of energy required to look after them. There were some tough times and I just felt extremely tired. I was grateful that my family was there to help. We had to have a bit of a production line going, making up “tiger milk”, washing baby bottles, and cleaning the floors.
When Spot and Stripe were four months old, they were learning how to open doors and jump fences, and we knew it really was time for them to go. It was hard for us to finally part with them. For the first few days, Kynan was always a bit disappointed that the cubs weren't there.
I'm not sad about it. I'm hands-on with them every day at the zoo, and I do look back very fondly on the time that we had them.
1. Why did the author bring the tiger cubs home?| A．To ensure their survival. | B．To observe their differences. |
| C．To teach them life skills. | D．To let them play with his kids. |
| A．Behave badly. | B．Lose their way. | C．Sleep soundly. | D．Miss their mom. |
| A．Boring. | B．Tiring. | C．Costly. | D．Risky. |
| A．They frightened the children. | B．They became difficult to contain. |
| C．They annoyed the neighbours. | D．They started fighting each other. |
8 . People today are not unfamiliar with term such as "going eco-friendly" and "sustainable lifestyle". However, there exists a group of sceptics（怀疑论者）who believe that going eco-friendly is merely a fad（一时的风尚）. I disagree with this viewpoint, Going eco-friendly is not merely a fad and it does, in fact, change the beliefs and attitudes of people.
The long-term presence of environmental organisations shows the efforts that people have made towards going eco-friendly. Organisations such as World Wildlife Fund advocate people to go eco-friendly. The high involvement of the organisations and the participants is thus a strong indicator that going eco-friendly is not merely a fad but a trend that can last decades.
Another strong indicator is the emergence of sustainable products in many industries, such as organic produce and electric vehicles. The consumer demand, coupled with eco-conscious（环保意识的）businesses, is behind the sharp increase in such products. This shows a shift in the beliefs and attitudes of people towards adopting a sustainable lifestyle. Thus, it seems quite certain that going eco-friendly is not merely a fad.
While some people who broadcast their eco-friendly practices are criticised for just hoping to project an eco-conscious image, there are a number of celebrities who have been practising the zero-waste lifestyle for years. For those who do so for years, and not mere days or months, it is indeed a commitment that can only come with a true change in beliefs and attitudes towards caring for the earth.
The call to save the earth looks set to stay. With the development of technology and the appearance of many platforms advocating going green, people are more willing to change their beliefs and attitudes when they can learn about and appreciate the positive impact of the work of different environmental organisations and individuals. It is hoped that these effects will go a long way in ensuring that our planet will remain a suitable place to live in.
1. Why does the author mention World Wildlife Fund?| A．To appreciate its environmental efforts. |
| B．To encourage people to go eco-friendly. |
| C．To evidence the universal recognition of going green. |
| D．To highlight the difficulty in changing people's attitudes. |
| A．Sudden disappearance. | B．Sharp increase. |
| C．Gradual development. | D．Limited application. |
| A．It may discourage people from sustainable lifestyle. |
| B．It may boost the business of organic produce. |
| C．It will be used to project an eco-conscious image. |
| D．It will promote environmental awareness. |
| A．To prove going eco-friendly a lasting trend. |
| B．To popularize the eco-friendly products. |
| C．To offer strategies to go eco-friendly. |
| D．To advertise for eco-friendly platforms. |
9 . The ocean covers more than 70% of our plane. It is so immense(巨大的) that explorers once thought there was no way to cross it. When our ships were advanced enough to do so, naturalists then thought it impossible for humans to ever exhaust fisheries or drive marine species to extinction. They were wrong.
Commercial fishing now covers an area of four times that of agriculture, and much of that expanse has been rendered completely unsustainable. We have reduced 90% of formerly important coastal species. Fish have been harvested so heavily that they are nearly wiped out in many places.
Some may hope that there are immense areas still untouched, given that humans do not live on the ocean, and we need specialized ships to go far beyond the coast. But that is incorrect. Just13% of the ocean remains as wilderness, and in coastal regions where human activities are most intense, there is almost no wilderness left at all. Of the roughly 21 million square miles of marine wilderness remaining almost all is found in the Arctic and Antarctic or around remote Pacific island nations with no populations.
What concerns us now is that most wilderness remains unprotected. This means it could be lost at any time as advances in technology allow us to fish deeper and ship further than ever before. Thanks to a warming climate, even places that were once safeguarded because of year-round ice cover are now open to fishing and shipping.
This lack of protection seems in large part from international environmental policies failing to recognize the unique values of wilderness, instead, focusing on saving at-risk ecosystems and avoiding extinctions. This is similar to a government using its entire health budget on emergency cardiac(心脏的) surgery without preventive politics, encouraging exercise to decrease the risk of heart attacks occurring in the first place.
If Earth's marine biodiversity is to be preserved forever, it is time for conservation to focus not only on the ER but also on preventive health measures.
1. What can be inferred from the first three paragraphs?| A．The ocean covers no more than seventy percent of the earth. |
| B．Naturalists still think there will be no way to cross the ocean. |
| C．There is almost no wilderness left at all in remote Pacific island. |
| D．It is incorrect that there were immense areas remaining as wilderness. |
| A．Unprotected. | B．Isolated. | C．Protected. | D．Lost. |
| A．Skeptical. | B．Negative. | C．Conservative. | D．Objective. |
| A．Ignore the unique values of wilderness. |
| B．Encourage exercise to decrease the risk. |
| C．Focus on avoiding partial extinction. |
| D．Focus also on preventive measures. |
10 . British sculptor Jason Taylor has made it his mission to use his talent to conserve our ecosystems by creating underwater museums. Over the years, the environmentalist has put over 850 massive artworks underwater worldwide. On February 1, 2021, Taylor launched his latest work---The Underwater Museum of Cannes.
“The main goal was to bring attention to the fact that our oceans need our help,” Taylor told Dezeen. “Ocean ecologies have been destroyed by human activity in the Mediterranean over the past few decades, and it is not obvious what is taking place when observing the sea from afar.”
The Underwater Museum of Cannes contains 6 sculptures featuring local residents of various ages. They range from Maurice, an 80-year-old fisherman, to Anouk, a 9-year-old student. Towering over 6-feet-tall and weighing 10 tons, the faces are sectioned into two parts, with the outer part like a mask. The mask indicates that the world’s oceans appear powerful and unbeatable from the surface but house an ecosystem that is extremely fragile to careless human activities.
Though the waters surrounding the sculptures now appear a pristine blue, the seabed was filled with old boat engines, pipes, and other human-made trash when the project began about four years ago. Besides removing the trash, Taylor also restored the area’s seagrass. Just one square meter of the seagrass can generate up to 10 liters of oxygen daily. The seagrass also helps prevent coastal erosion and provides habitats for many ocean creatures.
“The idea of creating an underwater museum was to draw more people underwater and develop a sense of care and protection,” Taylor told Dezeen. “If we threw unwanted waste near a forest, there would be a public outcry. But this is happening every day in our surrounding waters and it largely goes unnoticed.”
1. What are the underwater museums intended to do?| A．To make huge profits. | B．To raise awareness of protecting the ocean. |
| C．To show Jason Taylor’s talent. | D．To draw attention to endangered sea animals. |
| A．To popularize the features of the locals. |
| B．To remind people to protect themselves. |
| C．To reflect people’s protection of the ocean. |
| D．To stress the sensitiveness of the ecosystem. |
| A．How the project was started. | B．How the seagrass was restored. |
| C．What recovery effort the project made. | D．Why the surroundings were improved. |
| A．The situation of the ocean is easily ignored. |
| B．The destruction caused to the ocean is noticeable. |
| C．Forests play a more important role in ecosystems. |
| D．People have zero tolerance to damage done to nature. |
